Frequently Asked Questions about Legislative Author’s Bill Amendments

When does a legislative author amend his or her bill? A bill author can amend his or her bill in different instances as “author’s amendments.” They most often occur before formal committee or floor action, or during those times.

What happens to amendments before a committee hearing? In this case, the bill’s author submits his or her proposed bill amendments to the policy or fiscal committee prior to the bill’s actual hearing. Thereafter, again prior to the committee hearing, the chair of the policy or fiscal committee submits the author’s amendments and they are processed by the respective Desk.

Is any official action taken by the committee? These author’s amendments are done without a hearing or recommendation of the committee that is prepared to hear the bill. These author’s amendments are generally processed without input from the committee and are done at the request of the bill’s author.

What happens when the committee makes “author’s amendments”? Another type of author’s amendment occurs at a committee hearing or on the Floor of the Assembly or Senate. In this case, the committee recommends the amendment or the floor adopts the amendment, and these committee or floor amendments are supported by the bill’s author, which is why they are still referred to as an “author’s amendment.”